Praise the Chords

Then Randolph, in a controversial decision, was lured away from church music, introduced to Stevie Ray Vaughan, and within two years, he'd recorded an instrumental gospel album with John Medeski and the North Mississippi Allstars, opened for Dave Matthews and appeared in just about every festival he could. Now a regular on the jam-band scene, Randolph has gained a reputation for his staunch work ethic. Randolph's only album recorded with his Family Band  which actually features family members  was recorded live at New York City nightclub The Wetlands on its closing night in 2001. Translation: After being around for just a year, Randolph was hot enough to perform the last show ever at the legendary nightclub. Incidentally, "Live at the Wetlands" features six songs and 70 minutes of foot-stompin', hand-waving music that still resonates with fire and brimstone but now is combined with soaring blues (like on his Slim Harpo cover "Shake Your Hips"). Catch Robert Randolph and the Family Band this Friday (Nov. 1) at Alley Katz. Hazy Malaze opens. Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $12-$15 and can be purchased at www.musictoday.com or Plan 9.